Riyadh Air Opens Tickets for Pakistan and Philippines Routes

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Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest national carrier, has officially opened ticket sales on routes connecting Riyadh to Pakistan and the Philippines, giving Gulf-based travellers and the region’s large South and Southeast Asian communities fresh options for flying home or across Asia.

What routes has Riyadh Air launched?

The airline has begun selling seats on flights linking King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with destinations in Pakistan and the Philippines. The move marks a significant expansion push for the carrier, which only received its Air Operator Certificate from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation in 2024 and has been aggressively building its network since commercial operations began.

Exact city-pair destinations and launch dates were outlined in the original announcement, with bookings now live through the airline’s official channels, according to the original report on Gulf Business.

Why it matters for the Gulf

Saudi Arabia is home to one of the world’s largest expatriate communities, with Pakistanis and Filipinos forming two of the biggest migrant worker populations in the Kingdom and across the broader Gulf Cooperation Council. Affordable, direct connectivity between Riyadh and these countries has long been in demand, and new competition from Riyadh Air could put pressure on fares across the board.

The Philippines and Pakistan together account for hundreds of thousands of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) and Pakistani expats working in construction, healthcare, domestic services and other sectors throughout the Gulf. Every new carrier entering these corridors directly affects remittance cycles, family visits and the cost of travelling home.

How does Riyadh Air compare to existing carriers on these routes?

The entry of Riyadh Air onto both corridors adds a well-funded, tech-forward competitor to routes that have historically seen limited new players. The airline is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and has positioned itself as a premium yet accessible carrier designed to support Vision 2030’s tourism and connectivity goals.

What is Riyadh Air’s broader expansion plan?

The carrier has signalled ambitions to serve over 100 destinations globally within its first few years of full operation. Launching routes to Pakistan and the Philippines signals that high-volume labour migration corridors are a commercial priority, not an afterthought. With a modern fleet and a digital-first booking experience, the airline is aiming to pull traffic away from established Gulf carriers on some of their busiest routes.

For Gulf-based travellers, more competition generally means better prices, more schedule options and improved service standards across the board. That dynamic has played out before, most notably when budget carriers entered the Saudi market and drove significant fare reductions on regional routes.

How to book a Riyadh Air flight

Tickets are available through Riyadh Air’s official website and authorised travel agents. Travellers should compare fares across carriers before booking, as launch-period pricing can vary significantly from regular scheduled fares once a route matures.

Are you planning to fly Riyadh Air on one of these new routes, or will you stick with your current carrier? Let us know in the comments below.